In The News

Once again Vocational students at York College have achieved great results. An impressive 54 per cent of students (285 in total) attained Triple Distinction grades, or better, in their Level 3 Extended Diploma qualifications, of which 121 (23 per cent) were D*D*D*, the highest grade - equivalent to 3 A*s at A Level.

Individual vocational subjects received excellent results, including 98 per cent Triple Distinction or better in Business, 80 per cent in Manufacturing Engineering and 75 per cent in Performing Arts Production.

Ellie Watson, previously of Selby High School, studied Level 3 Extended Diploma Music, achieving D*D*D grades. Ellie is a talented musician who chose to study the popular music course to broaden her musical abilities; learning how to operate a mixing desk, composing and recording popular music. Ellie hopes to have a music career in film; working on film music scores, or play in a Forces band and then to teach. Ellie’s superb results enabled her to make that next step; she will study Classical Music Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Joshua Eldridge-Smith, previously of Malton School, studied Musical Theatre Extended Diploma Level 3, achieving D*D*D* grades. Joshua chose to study at York College because he wanted the best preparation for drama school and help with his audition pieces. He was delighted to secure a place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to study a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre. He says: “Training at York College was brilliant and now I want to spend the next three years exploring different areas within the industry and become a versatile performer."

Yasmin Metcalfe, formerly of Easingwold School, achieved D*D*D on the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design. Yasmin is progressing to the prestigious Goldsmiths in London, to study Fine Art. Whilst at York College Yasmin’s work was selected for a collaborative project at the Tate Modern in London. Her video about ‘Nothingness’ was featured in the ‘What is the Future of Art’ as part of the opening of the new Tate Modern celebrations. She says: ‘You don’t have to be brilliant at drawing to do well at art, my tutors encouraged me to experiment with different art forms and find my niche.”

Photo: Nigel Holland

Mark Doyle, Assistant Principal for Vocational studies comments: “Almost 300 Vocational students gained the top grades in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma courses in 2015/16. I am delighted to report that the proportion of students gaining an overall grade of DDD, or better, for their BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma qualification was in excess of 50 per cent for the fourth consecutive year, with over a fifth of students achieving the highest grade of D*D*D*. As is the case every year, many of our Vocational students will be taking up places at universities, drama schools or conservatoires, once again demonstrating that Vocational courses provide excellent progression opportunities for those who wish to continue their studies or move directly into employment. Congratulations to all of our students who completed Vocational courses in the last academic year.”